SUMMER 2015 Conferences 2015 · 2019-09-02 · SUMMER 2015 NISO is a not-for-profit voluntary body, dedicated to the promotion of health and safety in Irish workplaces IOSH FORUM

SUMMER 2015

NISO is a not-for-profit voluntary body,dedicated to the promotion of health

and safety in Irish workplaces

IOSH FORUM

SAFETY ALERTS

Conferences 2015

NISO PresidentReports

IN THIS ISSUE

Editorial/President’s Message ........................................2

NISO/National News..........3-5

Safety Alerts ...........................6-7

FEATURES

NISO Conferences................8-9

IOSH Forum.......................10-11

Helpline ......................................12

New publications....................13

Legislation ..........................14-15

Upcoming events....................16

Members visit niso.ie to downloadprevious copies ofthe NISO Update!

EDITORIAL

2 NISO UPDATE! SUMMER 2015

NISO Update! is issuedby the National IrishSafety Organisation(NISO).

Material printed in NISO Update!is not necessarily endorsed by theNational Irish SafetyOrganisation.

Editorial enquiries to: The Editor,NISO, A11 Calmount Park,Calmount Avenue, Ballymount,Dublin 12. Tel: 01 465 9760 Fax: 01 465 9765 Email: [email protected]

Design & Print: Print Bureau Tel: 01 4733 567www.printbureau.ie

Pauric Corrigan, president, National Irish Safety Organisation

Large Numbers Attendthe Recent NISOSafety RepresentationSeminarsEight well-attended safetyrepresentation seminars wereheld in June and July topromote the recently launchedSafety Representatives ResourceBook. One of the questionsfrequently raised by safetyrepresentatives in attendancewas in reference to the 3-dayrule on the reporting ofaccidents. NISO understandsthat the HSA is currentlyworking to publish revisedregulations and guidance on thereporting of accidents anddangerous occurrences.Following on from the SafetyRepresentation Seminar Series,NISO will host a one-daySafety RepresentationConference during EuropeanSafety Week commencing theweek starting 19 October 2015.

NISO/NISG All IrelandOccupational Safety Awards2015The date for submission to theAll Ireland Safety Awards,jointly hosted by the NationalIrish Safety Organisation andthe Northern Ireland SafetyGroup, has now closed. Therewas a large number of entriesagain this year and the standardhas been exceptionally high.The awards will be presented atthe Awards Gala Dinner on 2October next in Galway. Thisyear, a new award category, theSuperior Performance Award,sponsored by Anderco Safety,will be awarded to theorganisation that demonstratesoverall superior performance intheir safety and healthsubmission. This year, 10% oforganisations who entered theawards will receive a visit once

the submissions have beenadjudicated. Organisations willbe chosen by random selectionand selected organisations willbe notified in advance.

NISO raises HSA fundingconcernsOn 9 July, NISO met with theMinister with responsibility forhealth and safety, Ged Nash, toraise a number of concerns. Ontop of the agenda was the cutin funding to the Health andSafety Authority’s (HSA)budget from EU24.2 million in2008 to EU18.4 million in 2014,along with the reductions ininspections during the sameperiod from 16,000 to 10,700.NISO pressed the Minister forthe HSA’s budget to be restoredin order to enable thecontinuation of work they doin reducing accidents andfatalities in the Irishworkplace. NISO is concernedthat the standards set by theHSA prior to the budgetarycuts has fallen in recent years.

NISO also raised concernsregarding theextension ofhours on QQIcourses (formerlyFETAC). TheMinister was verysupportive of therecent safetyrepresentationseminars and theupcoming SafetyRepresentationConference.

Sean O’DwyerRIPIt was with regretthat we learnedof the death ofSean O’Dwyer on20 March. Sean,in his role as asenior inspector,

was highly proactive in thesetting up of NISO and itspromotion. An honorarylife member, Sean was veryactive in the western regionup until recent times. To hiswife Evyleen and family, weextend our deepestsympathy. May Sean rest inpeace.

Pauric Corrigan,President National IrishSafety Organisation.

Safety Awards inassociation with:

Supported by:

Conference Sponsors:

National Irish Safety Organisation

52nd Annual Health & Safety Conference & Awards Presentation

Good Safety is Good Business

Site Safety Visit & Workshop: Thursday, 1 October 2015

Conference & Awards Dinner: Friday, 2 October 2015

Radisson Blu Hotel & Spa, Galway

www.niso.ie

Media Partner:

NEWS

NISO UPDATE! SUMMER 2015 3

Health and Safety Authority (HSA) AnnualReport and Statistics Summary for 2014The HSA has published its 2014 Annual Report and a Summary of Injury, Illness and Fatality Statistics 2013–14.

Annual ReportThe HSA Annual Report gives detailsof key achievements, programmes andenforcement statistics for 2014. Figuresfrom the report show that there were10,719 inspections and investigationscarried out across all sectors last year.Written advice was given in 38% ofcases and enforcement action wasrequired in 9%.

Some of the key sectors targeted were:construction, 2,758 inspections;agriculture, 2,590 inspections and1,005 inspections under chemicalslegislation. There were 32 prosecutionsconcluded for serious safety and healthbreaches, with fines totalling €293,900imposed.

Statistics SummaryThe Statistics Summary, which wasproduced in conjunction with theEconomic and Social Research Institute(ESRI), provides a study on trends inoccupational injuries, illnesses andfatalities for 2013–14.

Statistics Summary – Key Points:• There were 56 fatal workplace

accidents reported in 2014compared to 47 in 2013.

• The overall worker fatality rateincreased from 2.1 per 100,000 in2013 to 2.5 per 100,000 in 2014.

• Of the 56 fatalities in 2014, 26involved self-employed persons.

• There were 7,431 non-fatal injuriesreported in 2014, compared to6,598 in 2013,

• The reported non-fatal injury rateincreased from 3.4 per 1,000workers in 2013 to 3.7 per 1,000workers in 2014.

• The main cause of non-fatalinjuries was manual handling(33%).

• The sectors that reported thehighest number of non-fatalinjuries were health and social work(20%) and manufacturing (17%).

The Minister for Business andEmployment, Ged Nash TD, said thatthe increase in accident rates in 2014 isa cause for concern: “The increasedfatality rate last year is largely due tothe unfortunate rise in the number ofpeople killed on farms which stood at30. Huge effort has been made to tryto reverse the situation in relation tofarming and awareness of the risks hasnever been higher. It is time now toconvert that awareness into action –the carnage and tragedy that we see onour farms every year must stop.”

Speaking on the future area of concernfor the HSA, its chief executive, MartinO’Halloran, confirmed that there will

be a focus onthose newlyjoining theworkforce overthe next fewyears: “We didnotice an increasein constructionactivity last yearand we also saw aslight increase inreported injuries.Overall the rate ofcompliance in thesector remains

high but our concern is for the future.Studies show that inexperiencedworkers, in any sector, are four timesmore likely to be injured than theirmore experienced colleagues.”

Michael Horgan, chairman, HSA, said:“We have worked on improving ourservice delivery and maximising impactby using technology to provide onlineresources such as BeSMART.ie andhsalearning.ie. These platforms arefree, easy-to-use and available at alltimes. There is also a high volume ofguidance and information available toemployees and employers through ourwebsite and social media channels.”

Please visit hsa.ie for the StatisticsSummary 2013 - 2014 and the AnnualReport 2014 in full.

NEWS


New regulations on the Control ofMajor Accident Hazards InvolvingDangerous Substances (the COMAHRegulations) came into force in Irelandon 1 June. These regulations give effectto the European Union Directive2012/18/EU (known as the Seveso IIIDirective) and apply only to locationswhere significant quantities ofdangerous substances are stored.

The “Seveso” Directive applies toindustrial establishments acrossEurope where dangerous substancesare used or stored in large quantities,mainly in the chemicals,petrochemicals, storage, and metalrefining sectors. Seveso sites areclassified as either upper- or lower-tier,with “upper-tier” establishmentshaving greater quantities of dangeroussubstances than “lower-tier”, andtherefore subject to greater control. InIreland, there are approximately 100

Seveso establishments (this figure issubject to change as establishments fallin and out of the scope of theDirective).

Some of the important changes in thenew Regulations relate to howdangerous substances are classified andthe information that has to be madeavailable to the public. Both upper- tierand lower- tier operators will berequired to provide information whichwill be electronically available to thepublic and kept up to date by theHealth and Safety Authority (HSA),which is the Central CompetentAuthority for the Regulations.

The main changes coming into effectunder the new Regulations include: • Updating and aligning the list of

substances covered by the Directiveto the EU legislation on theclassification of dangerous

substances; • Strengthening citizens’ rights on

access to information, justice andon participation in decision making;

• Improving the way information iscollected, managed, made availableand shared;

• Introducing stricter standards forinspections ensuring a moreeffective implementation andenforcement;

• Clarifying and updating ofprovisions, including streamliningand simplification to reduceadministrative burden.

For further information please visitenterprise.gov.ie.

For the COMAH Regulations 2015 andGuide to the COMAH Regulations2015 please visit hsa.ie.

New regulations for the control of major accidenthazards involving dangerous substances

New Healthy Workplace initiative announcedThe Minister for Health, Leo Varadkar,has announced that he is preparing acampaign to get workplaces more activeby encouraging the public sector, whichemploys 15% of Ireland’s workforce, todevelop Healthy Workplace policies.Private sector companies andorganisations will also be encouraged toget involved.

Speaking of the new initiative MinisterVaradkar said, “We are putting this on astatutory basis to send a clear messagethat we mean business in improving thenation’s health. A similar approach wastaken with health and safety statementsyears ago which have helped to reducedramatically the rates of workplaceinjuries and deaths.”

The proposed Health and Wellbeing(Workplace Wellbeing) Bill, which hasbeen signed off at Cabinet, will requirepublic service employers to develop a“healthy workplace” policy to promotethe physical, mental and socialwellbeing of employees. Initiativescould include:• Promoting “Active Travel” –

switching to smarter ways oftravelling to and during work, byfoot, bike, public transport orthrough car sharing;

• Setting up walking, running or otheractivity and exercise groups;

• Healthy eating options in staffcanteens – making the “healthychoice the easy choice”;

• Smoking cessation programmes andmaking campuses smoke free zones;

• Supporting positive mental healthand wellbeing by encouragingemployees to deal with stress,

personal difficulties and to seek helpwhen necessary.

“The World Health Organisation saysthat workplace health programmes areone of the best ways to prevent lifestylediseases and improve mental health. Anycosts associated with the measure shouldbe minimal and will be recouped manytimes over by the benefits of a healthierworkforce,” Minister Varadkar said.

For more information please visithealth.gov.ie.


NEWS

Employers across Ireland have beenurged to make road safety a “criticalpart” of their business plans at aEuropean conference organised by theEuropean Transport Safety Council(ETSC), the Road Safety Authority(RSA), the Health and SafetyAuthority (HSA) and An GardaSíochána.

Addressing the conference at CrokePark, Minister for Transport, Tourismand Sport, Mr. Paschal Donohoe, said:“Employers play a critical role inkeeping our roads safe. They also havelegal responsibilities to provide staffwith a safe working environment, bothin the office and on the road. Thismeans ensuring employees who driveas part of their work are equippedwith the skills and training to makethem safer drivers. Companies that dothis really see the benefits, includingreduced insurance premiums, lowerfuel costs, less absenteeism, greaterstaff satisfaction and mostimportantly, safe employees.”

A report published last month byETSC found that Ireland was one of 12EU member states that reported a risein road deaths last year.

“Road crashes are the biggest cause ofdeath at work, and one in threecollisions is work-related – so clearlybusinesses, large and small, have animportant role to play.

Martin O’Halloran, chief executive,HSA said: “Businesses often cite cost and time asthe main barriers to implementingdriving for work policies andprocedures for their employees. Yet weknow that every year, up to a third ofall collisions on our roads may involvesomeone who drives as part of theirjob. It is an employer’s legalresponsibility to manage risks thatemployees face and create in the courseof driving for work.”

Superintendent Con O’Donohue, AnGarda Síochána, spoke at theconference about driving for work froma policing perspective, stating that,“Employers and employees need to bemindful of their legal duty of care andthis extends to any journey undertakenas part of work. I urge employers toensure safe driving for work practicesamongst their employees and not to putemployees under pressure to meetdeadlines or demands, or take or makecalls while driving, all of which wouldresult in increased risk to the employeeand other road users.”

• Organisations in Ireland large andsmall are invited to apply for the 2015PRAISE Awards, recognising bestpractice in road safety at work.http://etsc.eu/praise2015

For further information, please visitetsc.eu.

Business plays “critical role” inkeeping roads safe

Fire Safety SeminarOranmore Lodge Hotel,Galway8 September

Annual NISO Health andSafety Conference andTrade ExhibitionRadisson Blu Hotel & Spa,Galway2 October

NISO/NISG All IrelandSafety Awards Gala DinnerRadisson Blu Hotel & Spa,Galway2 October

NISO Safety RepresentationConferenceMidland Region20 October

Dates foryour Diary


SAFETY ALERTS Operation of FullyAutomatic ExcavatorQuick Hitches.(Disengaging theBucket)Following a recent incident, the Healthand Safety Authority (HSA) is issuingan urgent warning to ConstructionEmployers, SOLAS CSCS Trainers andExcavator Drivers of the dangersassociated with how certain types ofautomatic excavator quick-hitches areoperated. The concern arises from thebucket on the quick-hitch disengagingmore rapidly than the operatorexpects. This in turn could lead to thebucket falling on personnel causingserious injury or death.The HSA understands that many

operators do not expect excavatorbuckets attached via quick-hitches todisengage unless the bucket is“crowded” inwards.

However this is not necessarily the casesince with some designs once thedisengagement switch is activated, thebucket may disengage rapidly. This willhappen if there is a small build-up ofhydraulic pressure in the quick-hitch.Such a build-up can happen in a matterof seconds. The risk appears to beparticularly pronounced on certaintypes of “tilt-rotate” type excavatorattachments.

Operators should NEVER press thedisengagement switch of a quick-hitchbefore the bucket has been landed to astable landing space, preferably itstransport position. This space shouldbe level and should be such that thebucket is not in danger of rolling orfalling further.

The HSA also advises thatdisengagement switches must be fullymaintained. This includes maintenanceof a lock to prevent inadvertentoperation and an audible signal towarn of the activation of thedisengagement switch.

In certain instances there may be twoseparate couplers each with its ownseparate set of controls. This might bethe case where one controller controlsthe coupling of an attachment such asa tilt-rotate mechanism to theexcavator arm while a secondcontroller might control theattachment of an excavator bucket tothe tilt rotate mechanism. In suchinstances the operator should be awareof which controls operates whichmechanism.

The owner and operator should alwaysrefer to the instruction manual in orderto operate these attachments in a safemanner. (Please visit hsa.ie forexplanatory diagrams.)

Product NitroMotors Eco CobraQuadThe Health and Safety Authority hasbeen made aware of a compulsoryproduct recall by the FrenchAuthorities of a Quad Bike intendedfor use by 14 to 16 year olds; See detailsin table below and photograph. Referalso to RAPEX Alert No. A12/0012/14

This product does not conform to therequirements set out in the MachineryDirective and the relevant EuropeanStandard EN 15997. Also, the productdesign presents a serious risk of injury.It has been determined, following anaccident in France, that it is possiblefor the driver’s feet to get caughtbetween the back wheels and thefootrest. The HSA has alreadyidentified one supplier of this productin Ireland who has agreed to avoluntary withdrawal.

If you have an affected Quad Bikeplease stop using it immediately, returnit to your supplier and contact the HSAon 1890 289 389 (low call) and/or [email protected] for advice.

Quad Bike Detail

Brand Model Type Number

Nitro Motors Eco Cobra HB-E ATV 800 A Model 800 Watts


Confined SpaceEntry to SewerageSystemsA number of fatal accidents involvingconfined space entry to seweragesystems have prompted the HSA to issuethis safety alert to highlight the need forstringent health and safety procedureswhen entering such confined spaces. Hazards occur when an enclosed orpoorly ventilated space is associatedwith a deficiency of oxygen or thepresence of toxic gases such as hydrogensulphide or methane. These conditions

create an environment in a confinedspace that is immediately dangerous tolife and health.

The HSA has published a detailed Codeof Practice for Working in ConfinedSpaces which supports the Safety, Healthand Welfare at Work (Confined Spaces)Regulations 2001. The HSA urges allcompanies engaged in providing servicesrequiring entry to sewerage systems toreview their current Safety Procedures andPractices and Emergency Arrangements inline with this Code of Practice.

Regulation 5 of the Safety Health &Welfare at Work (Confined Spaces)

Regulations 2001 states that:• A person shall not carry out work in

Confined Spaces if it is reasonablypractical that it could be avoided.

• If the work cannot be carried outwithout entry, Hazard Identificationand Risk Assessment must be carriedout prior to the work commencing.

• A person shall not enter a confinedspace unless there is a system ofwork in place that has been planned,organised, performed andmaintained so as to render that worksafe and without risk to health.

• Anyone entering a confined spacemust be provided with appropriateinformation, training andinstruction appropriate to theparticular characteristics of theproposed work activities.

Regulation 6 of the Safety Health &Welfare at Work (Confined Spaces)Regulations 2001 states that:• A person shall not enter a confined

space to carry out a work activityunless suitable arrangements forrescue in event of an emergency havebeen devised and implemented priorto the work commencing.

For further information on confinedspaces and to see previous confinedspaces alerts please visit hsa.ie.

Fourteen week introduction toOccupational Health and Safety takingplace in Limerick Institute ofTechnology and Athlone Institue ofTechnology in September 2015.

Course Objectives:• To equip participants with the

knowledge to work safely in a varietyof workplaces and to comply withthe competency requirements laiddown in the Safety, Health andWelfare at Work Act 2005.

• To furnish participants with a goodbasic knowledge and understandingof Occupational Safety and Health

(OSH), outlining what is required toprovide a safe place of work.

Methodology• This course comprises of a series of

13, 2-hour modules, illustrated withexamples and case studies.

• The presentations are based on thecore themes of hazard identification,risk assessment and identificationand evaluation of control measures.

• Modules include Risk Management;Safety Management; Fire Safety,Emergency Planning and First Aid;Ergonomics; Chemical Safety, andmore.

Who Should Attend:• Managers• Supervisors• Safety Representatives• Persons who have some responsibility

for safety and health at work• Persons who wish to gain knowledge

in this area

Contact [email protected] or visit niso.ie formore information.

NISO Introduction to Occupational Health and Safety Certificate Course


NISO CONFERENCES

NISO Safety RepresentationConferenceNational Irish Safety Organisation ishosting a Safety RepresentationConference in the midland region on20 October 2015. Speakers will includerepresentatives from NISO and theHealth and Safety Authority. TheSafety Representation Conference willprovide safety representatives, safetyofficers, managers and those with aninterest in health and safety anexcellent opportunity to meet withindustry professionals, refresh skills,get new ideas and keep up to date withadvancements in health and safety.

The Safety Representation Conferencefollows the publication of the newSafety Representatives Resource Book,commissioned jointly by the Healthand Safety Authority, the IrishCongress of Trade Unions and theIrish Business and EmployersConfederation, which was launched byMinister Ged Nash in April, 2015.

Following the launch, NISO ran anationwide series of SafetyRepresentation seminars based on thenew Resource Book.

The seminars, which were held inDundalk, Athlone, Waterford, Cork,Dublin, Sligo, Limerick and Galway,were well attended by delegatesranging from safety representatives,safety officers, managers and otherinterested parties.

NISO regards this book as an excellentresource document for all persons withan interest in safety, health and welfarematters. It will serve individuals whoare undertaking safety courses well asit moves from the BarringtonCommission in the early 1980s to thecurrent day.

The seminars covered the contents ofthe Safety Representatives Resource

Book in detail. Topics covered includedthe history of Occupational Safety andHealth (OSH), Health and Safety Law,the role of the Health and SafetyAuthority (HSA,) the Rights of theSafety Representative, hazards in theworkplace and vulnerable workers,amongst others.

A representative from the HSA alsopresented on the recently launchedonline BeSMART tool for theconstruction industry. Theconfidentiality of the system and thebenefits that this free resource bringsto businesses were emphasised.

More information on the upcomingNISO Safety RepresentationConference will be available soon.Please keep an eye on niso.ie forfurther updates.

The awardThe Safety Representative of the Yearwinner will be presented with a Certificateand a €600 cheque sponsored by Nifast.The Prize will be presented to the overallwinner at the NISO Annual AwardsPresentation Dinner on 2 October 2015 inthe Radisson Blu Hotel and Spa, Galway.

How to enterTo nominate someone or to enter directly,please complete the entry form which isavailable to download from the NISOwebsite, niso.ie.

Completed entry forms must be returnedto NISO not later than 31 August 2015.

NISO CONFERENCES


How to enter To nominate someone or to enter directly, please complete the Nomination Form which can be downloadedfrom the NISO website, niso.ie. Completed application forms must be returned to NISO not later than 31 August 2015.

NISO Annual Health and SafetyConference 2015The Annual NISO Health and SafetyConference is Ireland’s premier healthand safety event and as such, it is thenetworking event of the year forindustry professionals.

“Good Safety is Good Business” is thetheme of the NISO Annual Health andSafety Conference 2015. This year’sconference promises to offer delegatesan interesting and varied range ofpresentations, each based on thepremise that good safety is at the core ofgood business.

SpeakersNISO is delighted to present delegateswith a stellar lineup of speakers at thisyear’s conference. Kate O’Flaherty,director of the health and wellbeingprogramme, Department of Health, willpresent on “Healthy Ireland - workingin partnership for Healthy Workplaces”,in which Kate will speak on theimportant role that workplaces play in

promoting the health of the population.

Lorraine Begley, occupational managerand Joe Doddy, EAP manager, VhiCorporate Solutions, will present jointlyon “Building a more resilientworkforce”. This presentation willexplore, in light of the pressures thatadvances in technology and 24/7connectivity bring, how workplacewellbeing initiatives can build resiliencefor employees and organisationalleaders, ensure a successful work/lifebalance and enhance employeewellbeing.

NISO is very pleased to list MarkParadies, president, SystemImprovements, based in Knoxville,Tennessee, as our internationalconference speaker. Mark, who is anexpert in root cause analysis, humanperformance and process safety, willdeliver on “How the US Nuclear Navyachieves zero process safety accidents”

in what should prove to be a highlyenlightening and informativepresentation.

Our esteemed speakers at this year’sconference also include:Ruairi O’Connor, Rexam PLCKatharine Metters, PosturiteLiz O’Donnell, Road Safety AuthorityEddie Shaw, Carr CommunicationsTony Sheridan, Sisk

Paul Kelly, CEO, Console, will presenton Mental Health in our pre-conferenceworkshop, Thursday 1 October.

If you are interested in attending theNISO Annual Health and SafetyConference 2015, please contact us on01 465 9760 or [email protected]. Special volumediscounts, packages and early onlinebooking discounts are available underevents at www.niso.ie.

The awardThe CSP Small Contractor / Sub ContractorInnovation Award will be awarded to a smallcontractor who has introduced an innovation /change to the way that they operate that has madeimprovements to health and safety within the last three years. This may have been a small engineering change orindeed a management change that has been adopted by the company to address a safety problem that existed. Theaim of this award is to highlight and reward the commitment of small enterprises to improving health and safetyperformance within their organisations.


IOSH Ireland Conference: Safety professionals can inspire leadershipOccupational safety professionals havethe “ability to inspire true leadership”when it comes to promoting safety andhealth within their organisations.

This was the message given to delegateswho attended the IOSH Ireland BranchAnnual Conference, which this year wasfocused around the theme of inspiringleadership.

Industry experts shared theirknowledge, views and experiences withprofessionals on how to spearheadsafety leadership and behaviouralchange within their own organisations.

In addressing delegates, Liam Howe,chair of IOSH Ireland Branch, said: “Wewant to see safety built into the generalmanagement of a business, and not assomething which is seen as an offset orafterthought.

“Professional safety and healthmanagers, properly accredited, have theability to inspire true leadership in theirteams.”

He added: “It is often said that thebusiness of business, is business, and themanagement of safety and health isclearly an essential part of the businessof a business. It must continue to bemanaged as such.

“When all employers recognise this, thebetter and safer we will be.”

Safety CultureThe programme featured a number ofcase studies from professionals who hadachieved success in safety and healthleadership.

Willie Ryan, SHEQ director at SiteServ,cited his company’s own efforts topromote safety leadership across theglobe.

He said: “As far as we are concernedsafety is our business. Culture is a keyelement in getting this right. If you donot have the right culture in yourorganisation you are not going to getsuccess in safety and health.”

He added that everyone within anorganisation has a role to play infostering a safety culture, from the topdown.

“Every single person in theorganisation has a safety and healthobjective as part of the personaldevelopment plan. We have toempower people to bring them on thejourney,” he said.

Worker health and wellbeing was alsoa major focus of proceedings. Healthand Safety Authority CEO, MartinO’Halloran, said the economic loss toIreland through ill health at work nowexceeds the economic loss fromaccidents.

He said: “We have gone through the

bust and boom and boom and bustcycle. It is a time, as we enter a goodeconomic period, for leadership onsafety, health and wellbeing.

“Thankfully we are seeing a lot ofpositive growth, however, it is a time forpeople in this room to be very vigilant.”

Occupational cancersProfessor John Cherrie of Heriot-WattUniversity and the Institute ofOccupational Medicine also discussedthe issue of occupational cancers.

IOSH is highlighting common causes ofoccupational cancer registrations anddeaths, including solar radiation, dieselengine exhaust emissions, asbestos,silica dust and shift work, through its campaign.

John said: “Prevention is a veryimportant aspect of trying to treat theproblem. We have to take steps now totry and prevent the disease fromoccurring.”He also challenged a myth that

Delegates at the IOSH Ireland Branch Annual Conference

IOSH FORUM


exposure to carcinogens at work comesas a result of coming into contact withchemicals.

“These are incidental exposures thatpeople get in a number of differentoccupations,” he said.

“Many of the cancers caused by workare cancers of the lung, and nearly halfare related to the construction industry.

“We do not need to do anything specialto protect people. Apply simple solutions– appropriate use of PPE for example.”

Sleep apnoeaIn addition, Professor WalterMcNicholas highlighted the issue ofsleepiness and sleep apnoea, and theeffect on work.

He said sleep apnoea, if untreated, hadthe potential to impact on an employee’sjob prospects and ability to operatemachinery or drive a vehicle.The disorder most commonly affectedmen aged 40 to 59, with ProfMcNicholas’s presentation focussing onthe potential impact within the roadtransport sector.

He said: “The overall accident risk is 2.5times higher among untreated patientswith sleep apnoea. Effective treatmentreduces the risk of accidents three-fold.

“It is in the interest of the transportindustry itself that the problem of sleepapnoea can be diagnosed. Successfultreatment removes the accident risk.”

The IOSH Ireland Annual Conferencewas held at the Radisson Blu Hotel inGalway on 10 June.

More details about IOSH’s No Time toLose campaign can also be found atwww.notimetolose.org.uk or byfollowing @_NTTL on Twitter.

SponsorshipIs your organisation interested in sponsoring theAnnual NISO Conference, Ireland’s premierhealth and safety event, in 2015?

Sponsorship of the NISO Annual Health andSafety Conference presents a prime opportunity fororganisations to reinforce their identity andreputation as leaders in the health and safety field.Sponsors of the 2014 NISO Conference included: • Abbott• Anderco• Bord Gáis Networks• Kilcawley Construction• Phillips 66• Roadbridge• Walsh Group

To discuss opportunities to sponsor the NISOConference and other NISO events, pleasecontact Susan Birkett for a Sponsorship Brochureon 01 465 9760 or email [email protected].

Delegates at the IOSH Ireland Branch Annual Conference

IOSH FORUM

NISO Annual Health and SafetyConference 2015Ireland’s premier health and safety conferencefor safety professionals and business leaders.

Friday 2 October 2015Radisson Blu Hotel and Spa, Galway

The NISO Conference offers delegates an insight into current topicalissues which will be addressed by a panel of renowned national andinternational speakers.To register your interest in conference 2015, email [email protected] ‘Conference 2015 Interest’ in the subject line.


HELPLINE

QUESTION What action can a workplace take toprevent the risk of carbon monoxidepoisoning?

ANSWER Carbon Monoxide is a colourless,odourless poisonous gas. It is acommon industrial hazard created bythe incomplete burning of any carbonbased fuel such as coal, petrol, diesel,liquefied petroleum gas (LPG),natural gas and wood. It is also amajor industrial gas that has manyapplications in the manufacture ofbulk chemicals, for example, themanufacture of acetic acid.

Symptoms of carbon monoxidepoisoning can be similar to thosecaused by other illnesses such as acold or flu. They include unexplainedheadaches, chest pains or muscularweakness, sickness, diarrhoea orstomach pains, sudden dizzinesswhen standing up and generallethargy.

As per the Safety, Health andWelfare at Work Act 2005, theemployer has general duties to ensurethe safety, health and welfare of his orher employees which include:• carrying out a written risk

assessment to identify potentialhazards that may cause carbonmonoxide poisoning,

• ensuring the design, provisionand maintenance of the plant andmachinery so that they are safeand without risk to health,

• providing training, instruction andinformation to employees andothers.

The General Application Regulations2007, Chemical Agents Regulations2001 and Confined SpacesRegulations 2001 also hold duties for

employers in relation to carbonmonoxide. The OccupationalExposure Limit Value (OELV) forcarbon monoxide is outlined in the2011 Code of Practice for Safety,Health and Welfare at Work(Chemical Agents) Regulations2001. The OELV is 20ppm or23mg/m3 for an 8 hour referenceperiod and 100ppm or 115mg/m3 for15 minute reference period.

An employer can reduce the chancesof carbon monoxide exposure in theworkplace by:• maintaining and servicing

equipment and appliances, • ensuring that equipment is

installed and maintained by acompetent person,

• ensuring appropriate hazardwarning labels are placed on anyequipment, tools or applianceslikely to produce carbonmonoxide,

• installing carbon monoxidemonitors with audible alarms.

Employees can also reduce thechances of carbon monoxideexposure in the workplace by:• not operating any equipment,

tools or appliances unless fullyauthorised and trained,

• following safe systems of workand taking notice of hazardwarning labels,

• reporting to an employer anysituations that might cause carbonmonoxide to build up.

For further information on thecontrol of carbon monoxide, pleaseview the Health and Safety Authority(HSA) Carbon MonoxideInformation Sheet, available todownload from the HSA website:www.hsa.ie. Information can also befound at the Carbon Monoxidewebsite: www.carbonmonoxide.ie.

Help on preventing carbon monoxide poisoningNISO team answers members’ queries.


NEW PUBLIC ATIONS

Export and Import of ChemicalsInformation Sheet

Information sheeton exportersduties under theRotterdamRegulation (EU)No.689/2008 onthe export andimport ofhazardouschemicals.

For certain hazardous chemicals andarticles containing them, the export tocountries outside of the EU isprohibited under Regulation (EU) No649/2012. Strict administrativeprocedures are in place to ensure theirexport is legitimate. This informationsheet provides exporters withinformation to help them identifywhether they are likely to have dutiesunder Regulation (EU) No 649/2012and to assist them with the stepsinvolved in meeting their obligationsprior to chemical export.

CLP Poster: CLP Poster:Hazard and ClassificationPrecautionary and LabellingStatements Elements

The CLP Regulation (EC) No1272/2008 on Classification, Labellingand Packaging of substances andmixtures fully entered into force on the1st of June 2015 bringing us a stepcloser to the goal of having the samechemical hazards communicated in thesame way around the world. Theseposters should assist those working

with hazardous chemicals inidentifying the new hazard classes andcategories under CLP and how to labelaccordingly.

A Guide to Non-RespiratoryPersonal Protective Equipment(PPE) for use with ChemicalAgents in the Workplace

The aim of theseguidelines is toprovide basicinformation andgeneral guidanceon the selection,use andmaintenance ofpersonalprotectiveequipment (PPE)in the workplace for use with chemicalagents.

Health and Safety Authority (HSA) Publications

Please visit hsa.ie for more information and to download the posters andpublications.

EU-OSHA’s 2014 Annual Report

In its 2014 annualreport, theEuropean Agencyfor Safety andHealth at Work(EU-OSHA)outlines itshighlights of theyear, promotingoccupational

safety and health (OSH) to improveworking conditions across Europe.

Second European Survey ofEnterprises on New andEmerging Risks (ESENER-2)

EU-OSHA’ssecondEurope-widesurvey aims toassistworkplaces todeal moreeffectivelywith healthand safety andto promote the health and well-beingof employers. It provides cross-nationality comparable informationrelevant for the design andimplementation of new policies in thisfield.

European Agency for Safety and Healthat Work (EU-OSHA) Publications

European TransportSafety CouncilPublications

ManagingYoung Driversat Work

The focus of thisreport is to givean overview ofthe issues specificto managingyoung drivers at

work. Evidence shows that young peoplehave the highest collision involvement ofany road user group.

This report looks into the direct andindirect factors associated with highercollision rates of young drivers at workand makes recommendations on how toassess and mitigate the specific risksassociated with this group.

LEGISLATION

14 NISO UPDATE! SPRING 2015

Legislation: Statutory InstrumentsEuropean Union (Road Transport)(Working Conditions and RoadSafety) (Amendment) Regulations2015 [S.I. No. 126/2015]These Regulations amend theEuropean Communities (RoadTransport)(Working Conditions andRoad Safety) Regulations 2008 (S.I. 62of 2008) to reflect changes inregulation of tachographs broughtabout by Articles 24, 34 and 45 ofRegulation (EU) No. 165 of 2014which came into effect from 2 March2015.

Road Traffic (Construction and Use ofVehicles) (Amendment) Regulations2015 [S.I. No. 136/2015]These Regulations introduce a revisednational weight limit of 46 tonnes forsix (or more) axle rigid and drawbartrailer vehicle combinations from 1June 2015. The revised maximumweight limit is subject to severalspecified requirements being met,which vary depending on whether therigid vehicle and drawbar trailerinvolved in the combination isregistered prior to or after 1 June2015.

European Union (Ship Inspection andSurvey Organisations) (Amendment)Regulations 2015 [S.I. No. 140/2015]These Regulations give effect toCommission Implementing Directive2014/111/EU of 17 December 2014amending Directive 2009/15/EC of theEuropean Parliament and of theCouncil of 23 April 2009 on commonrules and standards for ship inspectionand survey organisations and for therelevant activities of maritimeadministrations, and give full effect toCommission Implementing Regulation(EU) No. 1355/2014 of 17 December2014 amending Regulation (EC) No.391/2009 of the European Parliamentand of the Council of 23 April 2009on common rules and standards forship inspection and surveyorganisations.

The purpose of the Regulations is toamend the definition of “Directive”and “EC Regulation” in the EuropeanCommunities (Ship Inspection andSurvey Organisations) Regulations2011 (S.I. No. 275 of 2011) to take intoaccount the adoption on 17 December2014 of Commission ImplementingDirective 2014/111/EU andCommission Implementing Regulation(EU) No. 1355/2014 respectively. TheCommission Implementing Directiveand Regulation amend the definitionof “international conventions” inDirective 2009/15/EC and Regulation(EC) No. 391/2009 so as to excludecertain paragraphs of a new IMOInstruments Implementation Code (IIICode) and certain sections of an IMOCode for Recognized Organizations(RO Code) from application in an EUcontext as they are incompatible withEU legislation.

European Communities(Classification, Packaging andLabelling) (Revocation) Regulations2015 [S.I. No. 196/2015]Council Directives 67/548/EEC and1999/45/EC deal with theclassification, packaging and labellingof substances and preparations. TheEU “CLP” Regulation (EC) No.1272/2008 of the European Parliamentand of the Council of 16 December2008 provides (in Article 60) for therepeal of these two Directives witheffect from 1 June 2015, and from thatdate the 2008 EU “CLP” Regulationwill become the definitive CLPlegislative instrument and atransitioning-out phase of the olderEU Directives will come to an end.Consequently, national Regulationstransposing these two Directives arerevoked with effect from 1 June 2015by these Regulations.

Chemicals Act (Control of MajorAccident Hazards InvolvingDangerous Substances) Regulations2015 [S.I. No. 209/2015](This note is not part of the

Instrument and does not purport to bea legal interpretation.)

The purpose of these Regulations,which have been made under theChemical Acts 2008 and 2010, is totranspose “Directive 2012/18/EU ofthe European Parliament and of theCouncil of 4 July 2012 on the controlof major accident hazards involvingdangerous substances, amending andsubsequently repealing CouncilDirective 96/82/EC” (which is knownfor convenience as the SEVESO IIIDirective). They also make a numberof consequential amendmentsnecessitated by the transposition ofDirective 2012/18/EU to the ChemicalActs 2008 and 2010, which are set outin Regulation 6.

The Regulations replace with effectfrom 1 June 2015-(i) the European Communities

(Control of Major AccidentHazards Involving DangerousSubstances) Regulations 2006 (S.I.No. 74 of 2006), and

(ii) the European Union (Control ofMajor Accident Hazards InvolvingDangerous Substances)(Amendment) Regulations 2013(S.I. No. 571 of 2013).

The latter Regulations have formallybeen repealed by a separate statutoryinstrument made under the EuropeanCommunities Act 1972, as amended.

The purpose of these Regulations is tolay down rules for the prevention ofmajor accidents involving dangeroussubstances, and to seek to limit as faras possible the consequences forhuman health and the environment ofsuch accidents when they occur, withthe overall objective of providing ahigh level of protection in a consistentand effective manner.

This is to be achieved through tieredcontrols on the operators of suchestablishments — the larger the

LEGISLATION


quantities of dangerous substancespresent at an establishment, the moreonerous are the duties imposed on theoperator. The failure by operators tocomply with their key obligationsunder these Regulations are criminaloffences that may be prosecuted eithersummarily or on indictment.

The hazard categories of thedangerous substances in Schedule 1reflects the classification, labelling andpackaging of chemicals (‘CLP’) systemintroduced by Regulation (EC) No.1272/2008 of the European Parliamentand of the Council of 16 December2008 on classification, labelling andpackaging of substances andmixtures1 , as well as some newadditions to the named substances inPart 2 of Schedule 1. Furthermore, amechanism has been introduced forthe assessment of the major accidentpotential for a particular substance todetermine whether it should beincluded or excluded from the scopeof Directive 2012/18/EU and thereforefrom these Regulations. 1 OJ L 353,31.12.2008, p. 1. [209] 65

All operators who fall within thescope of these Regulations will berequired to make a formal writtennotification to the Central CompetentAuthority and they will have thegeneral duty to “take all necessarymeasures” to prevent major accidentsand to limit the consequences of suchaccidents, should they occur.

A key aim of these Regulations is toimprove the information provided tothe public, including that provided byoperators to the competentauthorities, most notably to theCentral Competent Authority,regarding their activities. The Healthand Safety Authority, which is theCentral Competent Authority forthese Regulations, will ensure thisinformation is permanently andelectronically available to the public.

More particularly, these Regulationsaim to ensure that the publicpotentially affected by a majoraccident will be informed of the

appropriate action to take in a majoraccident situation as well as thatwhich the local competent authoritieswill take, based on the public externalemergency plans drawn up under theseRegulations, which are to be tested atthree year intervals.

These Regulations provide for a moreintegrated approach to planningdecisions concerning suchestablishments and, in particular, for

the provision of technical advice bythe Health and Safety Authority toplanning authorities, including, whereappropriate, to An Bord Pleanála.

These Regulations require that theCentral Competent Authoritymaintain an up-to-date inspectionsystem that is both systematic andplanned and appropriate to thedifferent types of establishmentcovered by the Regulations.

Fatal workplace injuries by economic sector 2008-2015 (NACE Revision 2)

Economic sector 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015

A Agriculture, forestry Crop and animal 20 10 22 22 20 16 30 8 and fishing production, hunting and

related service activities

Forestry and logging 1 1 3 0 1 0 0 0

Fishing and aquaculture 1 2 4 5 7 5 1 2

B Mining and quarrying 1 2 0 1 1 2 0 2

C Manufacturing 6 1 2 2 0 1 3 0

D Electricity; gas, steam and air conditioning supply 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0

E Water supply, sewerage, waste management and remediation activities 2 0 2 3 4 1 0 2

F Construction 15 10 6 6 8 11 8 3

G Wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and personal goods 3 2 4 2 3 3 4 0

H Transportation and storage 3 6 3 7 1 4 4 1

I Accommodation and food service activities 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0

J Information and communication 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

K Financial and insurance activities 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

L Real estate activities 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

M Professional, scientific and technical activities 1 1 0 2 1 1 1 0

N Administrative and support service activities 0 1 0 0 1 0 2 0

O Public administration and defence; compulsory social security 1 2 0 1 0 0 0 1

P Education 0 2 0 0 0 1 0 1

Q Human health and social work activities 0 1 1 1 1 0 1 1

R Arts, entertainment and recreation 1 0 1 1 0 0 1 0

S Other service activities 2 1 0 0 0 1 0 1

Total 57 43 48 54 48 47 56 22

(Updated 16th July 2015)


EVENTS

NISO, A11 Calmount Park, Calmount Avenue, Ballymount, Dublin 12. Tel: 01 465 9760 Fax: 01 465 9765 Email: [email protected] Website: www.niso.ie

1. Courses scheduled atNISO Training Centre,Ballymount, Dublin 12

Manual Handling Instructor& Assessor Course,QQI Level 6Course length: 5 days; 3 daysweek 1 & 2 days week 214, 15, 16 and 21, 22September

Manual Handling BasicCourseCourse length: half day17 August

Occupational First Aid, QQILevel 5Course length: 3 days12-14 August

VDU / DSE Assessors CourseCourse Length: 1 day6 October

Occupational First Aid Re-Certification, QQI Level 5Course length: 1 day18 August

Safe PassCourse Length: 1 dayFridays, 24 & 31 July

2. Courses and events in the regions

WEST REGIONSeminar: Fire SafetyOranmore Lodge Hotel,Galway8 September

MIDLAND REGIONCourse: NISO Introduction toOccupational Health andSafetyAthlone Institue of TechnologyCourse length: 13 weeks, 2hrsp/wkCommencing: 21 September2015Contact: [email protected]

MID WEST REGIONCourse: NISO Introduction toOccupational Health andSafetyLimerick Institute ofTechnologyCourse length: 13 weeks, 2 hrsp/wkCommencing: 23 September2015Contact: [email protected]

SOUTH REGIONTraining: Safe PassClayton Hotel Silver Springs,CorkCourse length: 1 day18 August

SOUTH EAST REGION:Training: Safe PassHotel Kilkenny, College Road,KilkennyCourse length: 1 day11 August

Training: Safe PassClonmel Park Hotel,Poppyfields, Clonmel,TipperaryCourse length: 1 day28 July

3. National/All Ireland Events

NISO Annual Conference andTrade ExhibitionRadisson Blu Hotel & Spa,Galway2 October 2015

NISO/NISG All Ireland SafetyAwards CeremonyRadisson Blu Hotel & Spa,Galway2 October 2015

NISO Safety RepresentationConferenceMidland Region (Venue TBC)20 October 2015

National Irish Safety Organisation Events DiaryPlease keep an eye on our website: www.niso.ie for forthcoming courses in 2015.

Documents

SUMMER 2015 Conferences 2015 · 2019-09-02 · SUMMER 2015 NISO is a not-for-profit voluntary body, dedicated to the promotion of health and safety in Irish workplaces IOSH FORUM